Computer Science + Industrial and Systems Engineering

Listed on the application as: Interdisciplinary Computing: Operations and Information Engineering 

Use computing and systems engineering to analyze, automate and streamline operations

While Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) teaches you what the mathematically optimal decision is, Computer Science provides the tools to build the software and infrastructure that executes that decision across millions of users or devices in real time.

By pairing both disciplines in the Operations and Information Engineering subplan, students gain deep technical computer science skills alongside specialized ISyE expertise to build, scale, and deploy computational models for real-world systems. Best of all, students gain skills in both fields within the Interdisciplinary Computing curriculum, gaining a competitive cross-disciplinary edge without a 

What is Operations and Information Engineering?

Operations and Information Engineering is the application of computer science, mathematical optimization, statistical modeling, and algorithms to analyze, design, and automate complex physical and digital systems.

By combining computational power with systems engineering, operations and information engineers process massive streams of data to eliminate inefficiencies, streamline supply chains, route transportation networks, and make intelligent, real-time decisions that power global industries.

What makes this program distinctive?

Several key areas of research, teaching, and industry collaboration at the University of Minnesota set the Computer Science + ISyE subplan apart:

  • Unrivaled Industry Connections: The University of Minnesota’s proximity to 17 major Fortune 500 headquarters—spanning healthcare (i.e. UnitedHealth), retail (Target, Best Buy), medical devices (3M, Solventum), and logistics (C.H. Robinson)—provides students with direct access to real-world datasets, industry-sponsored capstone projects and internships, and future job opportunities

  • Real-World Applications: Coursework directly bridges software engineering with systems optimization across sectors. This includes: 
    • Healthcare: Design cancer treatment plans, build organ transplant matching algorithms, and optimize surgery schedules.
    • Smart Cities & Logistics: Coordinate autonomous drone networks, route emergency response vehicles, schedule airline fleets, and optimize urban micro-mobility networks like e-scooter locations.
    • Energy & Operations: Manage power flow across smart energy grids, optimize manufacturing processes, and streamline global supply chains.
    • Market Design & Economics: Calculate dynamic pricing strategies, analyze digital marketplaces, and model equitable housing allocation policies.

Is Operations and Information Engineering right for me?

This subplan may be a good fit if you are interested in questions such as: 

  • How can algorithms optimize complex supply chains and logistics in real time to prevent global supply shortages? 

  • How do machine learning models and optimization techniques help airlines, shipping fleets, and public transit systems run on time?

  • How can computational models manage power distribution across smart energy grids to make cities more sustainable?

  • Why do leading healthcare systems use data and mathematical modeling to schedule patient surgeries and allocate hospital resources efficiently?

  • How do major tech platforms design dynamic pricing algorithms and automated marketplaces to balance supply and demand instantly?

You do not need to choose between an interest in systems engineering and an interest in technology. This program is designed for students who want to study both—and use them together to solve large-scale problems.

What can I do with this degree?

Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers and advanced study in areas including: 

  • Operations Research Analyst

  • Operations Analyst

  • Methods Process Analyst

  • Supply Chain Management Analyst

  • Optimization Analyst

  • Decision Science Analyst

  • Simulation Engineer

  • Manufacturing Systems Engineer

  • Logistics Analyst

  • Revenue Management Analyst

Explore the curriculum

Learn more about admission requirements, required courses, and the recommended four-year plan for Interdisciplinary Computing: Neural Engineering.

Three students in a classroom, one using a scientific calculator.

Expand your studies with the AI and Machine Learning minor

Students may also be able to complement this degree with the University of Minnesota’s new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning minor beginning in 2027.

The seven-course minor explores areas such as machine learning, data mining, computer vision, robotics, and natural language processing. Eligibility and course-planning requirements apply. Students interested in the minor should work with an academic advisor to determine how it can fit with their degree.

Explore the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning minor.